MFD forecasts heavy to very heavy rain across Nepal

KATHMANDU: Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in various parts of the country today.

The MFD said the country remains under the influence of monsoon winds and that the monsoon trough is positioned slightly north of its normal location near the Tarai. Skies are mostly cloudy nationwide, with light to moderate rain currently affecting parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces, and isolated locations in Madhesh and Sudurpaschim provinces.

This afternoon, conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and generally cloudy in Karnali and Sudurpaschim. There is a risk of moderate to heavy rain or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in many mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki, and in a few mountainous locations of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim.

Moderate to heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning is also likely in many hilly and Tarai areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki, in the hilly and Tarai areas of Madhesh, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim, and in some hilly and Tarai parts of Karnali. Heavy rain is expected at a few hilly locations in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki, and at one or two Tarai locations in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki, including parts of Madhesh.

Tonight, skies will remain mostly cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini, and generally cloudy in Karnali and Sudurpaschim. The MFD has forecast moderate to heavy rain or snowfall with thunder and lightning for many mountainous areas of Koshi and Bagmati, some mountainous parts of Gandaki, and a few mountainous locations in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim.

There is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain or snowfall with thunder and lightning in many hilly and Tarai areas of Madhesh and of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki, in some hilly and Tarai parts of Lumbini, and in a few hilly and Tarai locations of Karnali and Sudurpaschim. A few places in the hilly and Tarai areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Madhesh may see heavy to very heavy rain, while one or two hilly and Tarai locations in Gandaki and Lumbini are expected to receive heavy rain. Very heavy rain is likely at one or two hilly and Tarai locations in Koshi and Bagmati.

The Department has urged the public to take necessary precautions against potential disasters such as seasonal floods, landslides and soil erosion. It warned that adverse weather could disrupt daily life and affect agriculture, public health, tourism, mountaineering, and road and air transport services.